About the Civil College Foundation (CKA)
The Civil College Foundation (CKA) is a Hungarian non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening communities and supporting active citizenship. Founded in 1995, CKA has more than 30 years of experience in community organising, adult education and civic participation.
We work with local groups, civil society organisations and community leaders across Hungary to help people organise around shared issues, develop practical skills, and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives. Our work is rooted in the belief that strong, organised communities are essential for a fair, democratic and inclusive society.
Mission
Our mission is to strengthen communities by helping people organise, learn and take collective action.
We work at the intersection of community organizing, adult education and civic participation, providing long-term support to individuals and groups who want to advocate for their interests, influence public decisions and hold decision-makers accountable. We place particular emphasis on empowering communities whose voices are often marginalised and on building bridges between citizens, civil society organisations and public institutions.
Vision
We envision a society where organised communities can respond to social, environmental and democratic challenges through collective action.
Our long-term vision is a democratic culture built from the bottom up – where participation is part of everyday public life, institutions are transparent and accountable, and diverse communities can shape their own future, even in politically challenging contexts.
Values
Community-led change — Lasting change comes from people organized around their own needs and lived experiences.
Participation and co-governance — Democracy is more than elections. We support meaningful citizen participation and cooperation between civil society and decision-makers.
Inclusion and social justice — We prioritise working with communities affected by exclusion, discrimination, poverty or environmental injustice.
Learning and empowerment — Education is a practical tool for change, strengthening skills, confidence and collective capacity.
Solidarity and cooperation — We believe in partnerships across sectors, communities and borders.
Responsibility and sustainability- We take responsibility for the resources we create and work for their long-term social and environmental sustainability.
Independence and integrity — We operate transparently and independently, guided by professional and ethical standards.
What We Do
Community Organizing & Community Development
CKA supports local groups and national initiatives that work on issues such as education equity, housing, accessibility, water justice and democratic participation. We provide training, and mentoring for community organizers working across Hungary, and we help connect local struggles to national advocacy efforts.
Adult Education & Training
CKA is one of Hungary’s leading centres for community-based adult education. Each year, hundreds of volunteers, activists and professionals participate in our:
- workshops and short courses
- community organizing and advocacy trainings
- national meetings and summer universities
- international seminars and exchanges
Many of our programmes are offered free of charge or at cost price. Our residential training centre is located in Kunbábony, approximately 75 km from Budapest.
Promoting Citizen Participation
For more than a decade, CKA has coordinated large-scale national participation initiatives, including Citizen Participation Week, engaging tens of thousands of people annually. We develop and test participatory tools that help communities influence local public life and strengthen democratic oversight.
National Networks & Advocacy
CKA facilitates a nationwide network of community organizers and civil society organisations. Through thematic working groups and joint campaigns, members share knowledge, coordinate action and amplify their impact at local, regional and national levels.
International Cooperation
International exchange has been central to CKA’s work since its founding. We actively participate in European and transatlantic networks, host international trainings and conferences, and contribute to joint projects focused on community organising, democratic participation and adult education. CKA is an accredited organisation in the Erasmus+ Mobility programme and a long-standing partner in U.S.–European professional exchange initiatives.
Why Hungary / Why Central and Eastern Europe
Hungary provides a particularly important context for community organising. In recent years, civil society organisations have faced shrinking civic space and limited opportunities for meaningful public participation, while social and environmental challenges increasingly affect local communities.
CKA works where democratic participation is most needed. Our experience in Hungary and the wider Central and Eastern European region allows us to contribute practical knowledge on sustaining community organising, building national networks and adapting international democratic practices to local realities.
We see international cooperation as a two-way process of mutual learning that strengthens democratic resilience across regions.
Contact
Our Locations
Head Office
1072 Budapest, Rákóczi út 14.
Training Centre
6090 Kunszentmiklós- Kunbábony 37/2, Hungary
Get Involved
Whether you are an activist, a civil society organisation, a donor, or an international partner, CKA offers opportunities to learn, cooperate and create change together.
Together, we support communities to build power and shape their future.